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<h1>GEDCOM Tab View Format</h1>

<p>This format displays all the GEDCOM data in the GEDCOM format. In other words, each line has a level number, the GEDCOM tag, and a place (when appropriate) to edit the contents of the GEDCOM line. For clarity, the GEDCOM structures are indented by level number to customizable tab stops (hence the name &quot;Tab View&quot;).
</p>

<p>This format is not ideal for serious editing. It is better used to observe GEDCOM data, to learn about GEDCOM data structures, and for some minor editing.
</p>

<h2>Features of GEDCOM Tab View Format</h2>

<ul>

<li>Level number, tags, editable text, and static text are color coded. The colors can be changed using the <a href="#gtvfonts">Editing preferences</a>.</li>

<li>GEDCOM lines that have links to other records are displayed as a clickable link to the other record (they cannot be edited).
</li>

<li>Certain special tags that can only have a few values have check boxes or pop-up menus for editing.
</li>

<li>Hover the mouse over GEDCOM tag words to see a tool tip explaining the GEDCOM meaning of that tag. The meaning will be translated if using a non-English <a href="#languages">language</a>.</li>

<li>Hover the mouse over editing cells to see what type of data should be entered (also the meaning of the GEDCOM tag, which is translated if using a non-English <a href="#languages">language</a>).</li>

<li>This format recognizes <b>GEDitCOM II</b> custom tags and explains their meaning too.
</li>

<li><a name="gtvfonts"></a>You can use the preferences to customize the fonts:
<ul>

<li><b>Record Title Text</b>: Text for the first line of GEDCOM records (it cannot be edited)</li>

<li><b>Level Number Text</b>: Text for level numbers on each GEDCOM line</li>

<li><b>Label Text</b>: Text for GEDCOM tag on each line</li>

<li><b>Static Text</b>: Text for GEDCOM values that cannot be edited</li>

<li><b>Editing Text</b>: Text for GEDCOM values that can be edited (click to to start editing).</li>

<li><b>Check Box Text</b>: Text for check boxes</li>

<li><b>Popup Menu Text</b>: Text for pop-up pop-up menus</li>

<li><b>Button Text</b>: Text for buttons.</li>

<li><b>Hyperlink Text</b>: The text used for clickable links between records.</li>

</ul>
</li>

<li>You can use the preferences to customize the background colors:
<ul>
<li><b>Window Background</b>: background for the browser window.
<li><b>Printing Background</b>: background when printing can be changed to an alternate color (white is usually best).
<li><b>Editing Background</b>: background color for text-editing fields.
</ul>
</li>

<li>The &quot;GEDCOM Tab View Settings&quot; in the preferences set some spacing values. The offsets might need to be changed if you change fonts for the format:
<ul>
<li><b>Tab Spacing</b>: Indent per level for GEDCOM line levels</li>

<li><d>Edit Line Offset</b>: Offset for single-line text editing fields to align them with the tag</li>

<li><d>Edit Field Offset</b>: Offset for multi-line text editing fields to align them with the tag</li>

<li><d>Popup Menu Offset</b>: Offset for pop-up menus to align them with the tag</li>

<li><d>Check Box Offset</b>: Offset for check box items to align them with the tag</li>

<li><d>Link Offset</b>: Offset for hyperlink items to align them with the tag</li>

</ul></li>

</ul>

<h2><a name="languages"></a>Languages</h2>

<p>To choose the language for this user interface, open the &quot;Editing&quot; tab of the<b>GEDitCOM II</b> preferences and select language from the pop-up menu. The options are:</p>

<ul>
<li>English</li>
<li>French</li>
<li>Spanish</li>
</ul>

<p>These settings change the langauge in the record browsing windows, but do not change other elements of <b>GEDitCOM II</b> such as menus, sheets, and documentation.</p>


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